Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord — Class 10 MCQs with Answers
Class 10 CBSE English · Chapter 23
60 practice questions · 20 Easy · 20 Medium · 20 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 10 CBSE English questions from Chapter 23, "Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord". You get 6 timed quizzes made from 60 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 20 Easy, 20 Medium and 20 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that top scorers in CBSE Board exams get right.
To score well in "Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord", focus on comprehension, grammar and writing skills. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This helps you stay accurate when time is short, just as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 10 English mastery score. 12 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 10 English)
12 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation.
- Q1Easy
Fill in the blank: 'The list of selected candidates ___ on the notice board.'
A.is✓ CorrectB.areC.wereD.have beenAnswer: A. is
Explanation: The subject is 'list', which is singular; 'of selected candidates' only modifies it.
- Q2Easy
Fill in the blank: 'The furniture in this room ___ very expensive.'
A.have beenB.is✓ CorrectC.areD.wereAnswer: B. is
Explanation: 'Furniture' is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb.
- Q3Easy
Fill in the blank: 'Neither the captain nor the players ___ satisfied with the pitch.'
A.wasB.has beenC.isD.were✓ CorrectAnswer: D. were
Explanation: With 'neither ... nor' the verb agrees with the nearer subject, here the plural 'players'.
- Q4Easy
Fill in the blank: 'My brother and I ___ going to the library after school.'
A.wasB.has beenC.are✓ CorrectD.isAnswer: C. are
Explanation: Two subjects joined by 'and' form a plural subject.
- Q5Easy
Fill in the blank: 'The news of their victory ___ spread quickly.'
A.has✓ CorrectB.haveC.wereD.areAnswer: A. has
Explanation: 'News' looks plural but is a singular uncountable noun.
- Q6Medium
Fill in the blank: 'A number of students ___ absent because of the strike.'
A.has beenB.isC.were✓ CorrectD.wasAnswer: C. were
Explanation: 'A number of' means 'several' and therefore takes a plural verb.
- Q7Medium
Choose the correct sentence.
A.The jury is divided in their opinions.B.The jury are divided in its opinions.C.The jury were divided in its opinion.D.The jury are divided in their opinions.✓ CorrectAnswer: D. The jury are divided in their opinions.
Explanation: When a collective noun acts as separate individuals both the verb and the possessive turn plural.
- Q8Medium
Identify the error: 'Neither the players nor the coach were present at the ceremony.'
A.present should be presentedB.were should be was✓ CorrectC.Neither should be EitherD.nor should be orAnswer: B. were should be was
Explanation: The verb agrees with the nearer subject, and 'coach' is singular.
- Q9Medium
Identify the error: 'The quality of the mangoes were not up to the mark.'
A.were should be was✓ CorrectB.quality should be qualitiesC.the mark should be markD.of should be inAnswer: A. were should be was
Explanation: The head of the subject is 'quality', which is singular; 'of the mangoes' is only a modifier.
- Q10Hard
Choose the correct sentence.
A.More than one candidates has withdrawn from the race.B.More than one candidate has withdrawn from the race.✓ CorrectC.More than one candidate have withdrawn from the race.D.More than one candidates have withdrawn from the race.Answer: B. More than one candidate has withdrawn from the race.
Explanation: Although the sense is plural, 'more than one' is followed by a singular noun and verb.
- Q11Hard
Choose the sentence that treats the collective noun as individuals.
A.The audience were arguing among itself about the verdict.B.The audience was arguing among itself about the verdict.C.The audience were arguing among themselves about the verdict.✓ CorrectD.The audience was arguing among themselves about the verdict.Answer: C. The audience were arguing among themselves about the verdict.
Explanation: 'Among themselves' shows the members acting separately, so the verb and pronoun both go plural.
- Q12Hard
Fill in the blank: 'Neither the manager nor his assistants ___ willing to take responsibility.'
A.has seemedB.isC.seem✓ CorrectD.seemsAnswer: C. seem
Explanation: Under proximity agreement the plural 'assistants' governs the verb.
Key concepts: Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord (Class 10 English)
The verb agrees with its subject in number. One technique answers nearly every question in this chapter: find the real subject, cross out everything between it and the verb, and then apply the rule for that kind of subject.
- Find the head noun
- The subject governs the verb, not the nearest noun: 'The LIST of selected candidates IS on the notice board'; 'ONE of my closest friends IS moving abroad.'
- Intervening phrases add nothing
- 'Along with', 'with', 'as well as' and 'except' do not create a compound subject: 'The teacher, ALONG WITH her students, IS visiting the museum'; 'No one EXCEPT the two monitors IS allowed to enter.'
- A relative clause changes nothing either
- 'The BOX of chocolates that she brought WAS placed on the table' — the subject is still 'box'.
- Each / every are singular
- 'EACH of the boys HAS a separate locker'; 'EACH of the participants WAS given a certificate' — singular however plural the noun after 'of' looks.
- Subjects ending in -ics
- Names of subjects are singular: 'MATHEMATICS IS my favourite subject at school.'
- Uncountable nouns
- Furniture, news, information and luggage take a singular verb — 'The FURNITURE in this room IS very expensive'; 'The NEWS of their victory HAS spread quickly', even though 'news' looks plural.
- 'Police' is plural
- 'The POLICE ARE investigating the case thoroughly.' It is the exception students most often get wrong.
- 'A pair of' is singular
- 'A PAIR of scissors IS kept in the top drawer' — the subject is 'pair', not 'scissors'.
- Collective nouns
- A collective noun acting as one body takes a singular verb: 'The COMMITTEE IS divided in its opinion.'
- Joined by 'and'
- Two subjects joined by 'and' are plural — 'My brother and I ARE going to the library' — unless they name one thing: 'BREAD AND BUTTER IS what he eats for breakfast.'
- The proximity rule
- With 'either … or', 'neither … nor' and 'not only … but also', the verb agrees with the NEARER subject: 'Neither the captain nor the PLAYERS WERE satisfied'; 'Neither the players nor the COACH WAS present.'
- Both is plural
- 'BOTH the sisters HAVE won scholarships this year.' Unlike each, every and either — which are all singular — 'both' refers to two people together and takes a plural verb.
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Start this chapter free →Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 10 English Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord?+
The verb agrees with its subject in number. One technique answers nearly every question in this chapter: find the real subject, cross out everything between it and the verb, and then apply the rule for that kind of subject. Key ideas include Find the head noun, Intervening phrases add nothing, A relative clause changes nothing either, Each / every are singular, Subjects ending in -ics, Uncountable nouns.
What does Class 10 English Chapter 23 (Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 60 NCERT-based MCQs on "Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord": 20 Easy, 20 Medium and 20 Hard. Together they make 6 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year. One year from the day you pay. You stay in Class 10 till 31 March; on 1 April your account moves up to Class 11 and the rest of your year carries over. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 6 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 12 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord (Class 10 English)?+
The questions that matter most test Find the head noun, Intervening phrases add nothing, A relative clause changes nothing either, Each / every are singular, Subjects ending in -ics, Uncountable nouns. This page shows 12 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations. Sign in to practise all 60 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.
Is there an online quiz for Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord?+
Yes — Class 10 English Grammar: Subject-Verb Concord has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.